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Ozzie weighs in on Wade-Spoelstra flap

Ozzie weighs in on Wade-Spoelstra flap

CLEVELAND -- Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen isn't much of a basketball fan, but he understands respect must exist between players and managers.

Guillen was asked on Friday about the confrontation between Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra and superstar Dwyane Wade in the third quarter on Thursday night.

Wade and Spoelstra exchanged words in the Heat's 19-point loss to the Indiana Pacers.

What would Guillen do if a player got in his face?

"I would kick his [butt]," Guillen said. "Listen, we've got a job to do. I'm not going to say I'm going to kick his [butt], because they're bigger than me, and I'm older. But I would take my chances.

"Some people have to understand, that's our job. Players have to understand what kind of job we have. Some players think they know baseball more than you do. But they can [only control] what they do on the field. They don't know what we're thinking. They don't know what kind of moves we make."

In Guillen's career as manager, he hasn't had a shouting match with a player. He did note that once, while with the White Sox, he said a word he regretted to a pitcher on the mound.

Guillen didn't identify the pitcher, and he said no other players heard the remark.

Afterward, Guillen apologized to the player for showing a lack of respect.

"First of all, I'm never going to disrespect my players," Guillen said. "I did it once, and I apologized before everyone. I'm not going to tell you who. ... I said, 'Listen, I apologize as a man, because I will respect you as a man. I will respect you as a man. I will apologize in front of all of your teammates.'"